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Tuesday, September 16, 2014

DOORS OPEN AT THE BULLEIT FRONTIER WHISKEY EXPERIENCE AT STITZEL-WELLER

At a ribbon-cutting ceremony yesterday morning to celebrate
the opening of the Bulleit Frontier Whiskey Experience at Stitzel-Weller,
Diageo shared plans for additional renovations to the historic Louisville
distillery, and the Kentucky Distillers' Association announced that
Stitzel-Weller will be the newest stop on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail tour.The next phase of refurbishing the facility will include
construction of a new bottling line, an on-site finishing centre and a small
batch craft still for the Visitor Centre focused on innovation.This brings Diageo's total investments in
Stitzel-Weller announced in 2014 to more than ten million dollars.

Commenting on the news, Larry Schwartz, President, Diageo
North America, said: "Stitzel-Weller is widely recognized as an iconic
part of bourbon's past, and the Bulleit Frontier Whiskey Experience we are
opening today celebrates that history. Now, with these new investments and our
innovation plans, Stitzel-Weller and Diageo will help shape the future of
American Whiskey in Louisville, and in the state of Kentucky."The Bulleit Frontier Whiskey Experience will be officially
open to the public beginning today.Visitors will be able to see first-hand Bulleit founder Tom Bulleit's
working office and take a trip into the past of one of America's most historic
facilities.Guests will tour the warehouse where the rickhousing system
was invented in 1879, the cooperage which remains unchanged since opening in
1935, and the historic foyer, inspired by Monticello.Beginning in early December, the tour will
also include a look at a new finishing centre, where visitors will be able to
add customized engravings, etchings and hand-selected graphics to products
available for purchase at the site.While Stitzel-Weller will remain home to the Bulleit Bourbon
brand, the new small batch craft still for the Visitor Centre will also nurture
inspired experimentation and education.Fuelled
by innovation, it will embody the entrepreneurial spirit that has long lived
within the walls of the historic site.The facility will include an industry archive and serve as a resource
for members of the trade, whiskey industry and other interested parties who are
of legal drinking age.At yesterday’s ceremony Louisville Mayor, Greg Fischer said:
"Stitzel-Weller is sacred ground in our city, the home of iconic bourbon
brands and now the home of the Bulleit Frontier Whiskey Experience. The
beautiful setting and the historic preservation of the property will make the
distillery a must-see stop on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail journey."Also commenting on the news Bulleit Bourbon Founder, Tom
Bulleit said: "As a Kentuckian and a son of the Bourbon industry, watching
this national treasure come back to life has been an incredible experience. Having
Stitzel-Weller be the home of the Bulleit Frontier Whiskey Experience and a
stop on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail® gives me a tremendous amount of pride and a
feeling of excitement for what the future holds."In addition to distilling, the company will bring bottling
capabilities back to Stitzel-Weller.A
new bottling line is currently under construction and slated to start up later
this year.During the announcement, Gregory presented Schwartz with a
copper plaque to commemorate their Kentucky Bourbon Trail membership. Schwartz
and Mayor Fischer also stamped the first Kentucky Bourbon Trail Passports
featuring the new attraction.This latest investment comes on the heels of Diageo's ground
breaking last month at the new Shelby County, Kentucky Bulleit Distilling Co.
facility.The 1.8 million proof gallon
(750,000 9-liter cases) distillery will distill Bulleit Bourbon, as well as a
number of current and future Diageo bourbon and North American Whiskey brands.Construction plans are on track and Diageo
aims to have the distillery operational in late 2016.Source: PR Newswire